Variable speed transmission



VARIABLE SPEED TRANSMI S S ION Filed not. 1o, 1954 Y 3 sheets-sheet 1 v I I N E; E; Xy i *W N l k 1A g /f f N In TLX) All', I T "4m I 71 I I .INVgNToRs v. HENRY CA .DUL/O/Y Jan. 19,1939.. H. c. DULION ET'AL 2743238 VARIABLE SPEED TRANSMISSION Filed oct. 1o, 1954 s' sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR'S HENRY C. 00L/0N Jan. 10, 1939.

H. C, DULION ET AL VARIABLE SPEED TRANSMISSION 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed oct. 1o, 1954 IN VEN TORS Patented Jan. 10, 1939 i vUNI'FIED STATES PATENT OFFICE VVARIABLE SPEED' TRANSMISSION Henry C. Dulion andCrharles. R. Murphy, Oakland, Calif.

Application October 10, 1934,` Serial No. 747,752

4 '7 claims. (01.192-58) This invention relates-particularly-to a varia- `able speedv transmission interposed between a ble speed hydraulic transmission to be interposed driving `member and a driven member.

'between drivingV and driven members. Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic View showing the valve FAn object ofthe invention is to provide a variassembly operating structure. f s able speed-transmission to function as a coupling -Inf detail the construction illustrated in the c agentbetween the engine of an automotive vedrawings comprisesI a variable speed hydraulic hicle* and` the wheel propelling shaft of 'said transmission generally designated by the numeral vehicle. ii, 'one element of which is operatively connected y A further object of the invention is to provide to the crankshaftor driving member of the enia variable speed hydraulic transmission confgine' 2; while the rotor portion of the transmisl0 .sisting of a stator and a rotor, together with cosioniis `connected to the driven or wheel propeli operating elements between the stator and rotor ling'ishaft 3.

to effectmovement of the rotor ranging from "l The transmission I consists of a cylindrical zero R. P. M. to the same R. P. M. as that of the casingI G, having a shaft 5 on the outside of one hifi stator. lside thereof connected to the engine or prime it A still further object of the invention is to mover 2. The element 4 is provided with an exprovide a variable speed hydraulic transmission Atended circumferential wall 6 concentric with the wherein the driven shaft may be rotated at the axis thereof. Aplate or` cover l is bolted or othersame or lesser R. P. M. as that of the driving 'wisexedly secured over the open end of the it-20 member, as well as means for automatically renvelement 4. The cover 1` is provided with a hole 20 dering the transmission inoperative when the therein, concentric with the axis of the element,

speed of rotationof the driven member exceeds around which a hub 8 is formed. The hub 8 is i the speedof rotation of the driving member. provided with an annular recess 9 therein; With- Other objects andv advantages are to provide inwhichan annularshoulder I0 on the driven 125e variable speed hydraulic transmission that will lshaft 3, iS adapted t0 be @Onned- A lOk 111115 25 be'superior in pointof simplicity, inexpensive- VSplOVded O11 the Olli/Side 0f the Plate 7 t0 ness of construction, positiveness of operation, VSeat againstfthe Shaft ShOuldSI l0 and 11016. the i and facility and convenience in use and general :Same snugly in engagement with the hub 8. The Y efficiency. driven shaft 3 is provided with an extension I2 n.30 In `this specication and the annexed drawthereon, within theelement 4,'the end of which 30 Y ings, the invention is illustrated in the form coneXtellSOIl iS J'Olllnaled all I3 in the @11d Wall 0f sidered to be the best, but it is to be understood 'theelemellt 4.

that the invention is not limited to such form, An oval @substantially egg-shaped rotor I4 i because it may be embodied in other forms; and iS sldably-Splined 0r keyed t0 the Shaft I2 Within 35 it is also to be understood that in and by the the. element 4. The longer radial dimension I5 35 claims following the description, it is desired to 0f the'retor I4 prescribes an are 0f travel adiecover the invention in whatsoever form it may -cent'to the circumferential wall 6 of the element `be embodied. f 4, while the shorter radial dimension I6 of the In the accompanying three sheets of draw.. Irotorhas an arc of travel which is a substantial `44c ings; `distance away from the inner circumference of 4o 1 Fig. l represents a cross section through a varthe Wan 61 iable speed hydraulic transmission constructed The portloni of the rotor m Operatflon fuimin accordance with our invention taken on the mons as a Counterba'lan for the Opposlte p ortlon une of Fig. 2. V"Iiiof said rotor. The longer radial portion of e345 the rotor between the shaft I2 and the periphery 45 mili@ 2 2055 Sewon taken through Flg 1 l1 thereof, is out away et is throughout the body thereof, to leave this portion of the rotor com- F1@- 3 15 .an elevatlfn partly m sectlon taken prised of the oppositeside walls I9 and 2U con- On the hrfe 3*"3 0f E 'lg- 2- nected together across the top thereof by the w50 Fig. 4 1s a plan view of Flg. 1 partly broken Wall Il, andiat thebottom by the wall 2l. 50

"away U0 ShOW the COHI'OI Valve therein .1 A circular valve 22 is arranged radially within Fg- 5 iS a perspective View 0f One 0f the gateS- `the hollowed out portion I8 of the rotor,.the op- Figure 6 iS an @lei/M1011 0f 011e 0f the gates posite ends of the valve 22 being journaledin the A"showing an associated latch device. :outerwall I'I andthe inner wall 2| of said rotor. F1555 MFigl isa diagrammatic View showing the vari- Thesopposite side wallsiIB and 20 `of. the rotor 55 facing the valve 22, are formed on an arc 23, corresponding to the outer circumference of the valve 22. The valve 22 is provided with vertically disposed openings 24 extending the length thereof on diametrically opposite sides thereof, through which either oil or fiuid pressure may iiow from one side of the rotor, thru the cut out portion lil in the rotor, to the other side of said rotor. The wall portions 25 of the valve 22 are of a width which is slightly greater than the distance between the opposite side walls of the rotor, whereby the portions 25 may completely block off the passage through the hallowed out portion i8 of the rotor.

The valve 22 is oscillated or turned on its longitudinal axis by means of a pin 25, which pin is slidably confined in a diagonally disposed slot 27 in the base of the valve 22, and the bottom wall 2| of the rotor. The pin 25 is mounted on a shaft 28 which lies parallel to the axis of the driven shaft 3 and extends outwardly through the shoulder l on said shaft into engagement with a collar 29 slidably splined at 3U on the driven shaft 3.

A shifting fork 3l is pivoted at 32 on the vehicle frame, and said fork engages the collar 29 for moving the same axially on the shaft 3. The shifting fork 3l is provided with a foot pedal 33 thereon, for convenience of operation by the foot of the vehicle operator. Thus swinging movement of the foot pedal 33 causes axial movement of the collar 29 and the shaft 28, whereby lengthwise movement of the shaft 28 through the pin 26 causes oscillating or rotative movement of the valve 22 to cover and uncover the opening through the center of the rotor.

A plate 35 is mounted on the rotor within the element 4, the circumference of said plate 35 engaging an annular shoulder 36 around the inner wall of the element 4. The plate 35 slides with the rotor on the driven shaft 3, and has an opening therein through which the shaft 28 extends.

The side face 2Q of the rotor is adapted to lie against the rear face of the element 4, while the opposite side face i9 of the rotor is adapted to lie against the plate 35. An expansion spring 31 is mounted around the shaft 3 to expand against the plate 35 and rotor and force the same tightly against the end wall of the element 4. The pressure of the spring is suiiicient to hold the plate and rotor against the element 4 to form a fluid or pressure containing area within the space between the rotor and the element 4.

Arcuate gates 40 and 4l are iixedly mounted on the pin 44 at 42 on the circular wall 6 of the element 4, on opposite sides thereof. The thickness of the gates 40 and 4i corresponds to the thickness between the outer circumference of the longer dimension l of the rotor and the inner circumference of the wall 6. The arc of the circumference of the inner wall of the element 4 between the free ends of the gates 4l and 4E is filled by the curved plates 43 which are of a thickness identical with that of the gates 4D and 4|. The upper end l'i of the rotor will thus move smoothly around on the curved surface provided on the inner circumference of the wall 3, by the gates 4U and 4l and the filler pieces 43. The pivotl 42 of each of the gates 4o and 4i consists of a pin 44, which is journaled in and extends beyond the annular shoulder 35 provided on the peripheral wall 6 of the element ll.

The gates 49 and 4l are adapted to be maintained in contact with the outer face of the rotor at times, and at other times to be held in iiush continuation with the filler pieces 43. When it is desired to render the transmission operative and to obtain va-riable speeds of rotation therefrom, the free ends of the gates 46 and 4| must engage and follow the outer face of the rotor. This is accomplished by providing an arm 45 fixed on the e-nd of each pivot pin 44, and pivotally connecting an intermediate portion of said arm by a link 46 to a plunger l1 reciprocatingly coniined in a guide bearing 48, there being one of said guide bearings 48 on diametrically opposite sides of the hub S formed in the cover plate '1.

A disc 49 is mounted on the upper end of the plunger 4l', and an expansion spring 5i) is interposed between the disc i9 and a shoulder 5l on the outside of the guide bearing 48. The action of the spring Eil expanding against the disc 49, causes the links 46 and arms 48 to assume a position which will cause the free ends of the gates 46 and 4l to swing inwardly away from the inner wall of the element 4 and into contact with the outer wall of the rotor as shown in the lower portions of each of the Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Where the periphery of the rotor causes the gates 4U and 4I to lie against the inner wall of the element 4, the links 4@ and arms 45 assume the position shown in the upper portion of Figs. 2 and 3.

In order to operate the transmission, the entire space between and within the element 4 and the rotor, is filled with oil or some other fluid medium. The opposite portions of the gates 40 and 4i are allowed to swing out to engage the outer periphery or the rotor. The element 4 being directly coupled to the engine 2, rotates in unison therewith, while the rotor, due to the inertia of the propeller shaft to which it is connected, remains in a stationary position, if it be assumed that the valve 22 is in the normally closed position.

To effect a disengagement of the drive and driven members on depression of pedal 33, (Fig. '7) rod 2S is thereby moved to the left in Fig. 2 to open valve 22. Thereafter to render the transmission completely neutral, pedal 33 would be fully depressed whereby the enlargement 5l on rod (Fig. 2) engages the shoulder at the left end of its bore (due to the rod being moved further to the left in the figure) to move the rotor ill and its plate 35 also to the left. This movement of the plate 38 permits latches 55 (Fig. 6) to be moved by their springs 5G to engage and thereby maintain gates 46, (il in their outmost position after being so moved by the pro- Jecting portion of rotor I4.

In order to cause the rotor to rotate, after a disengagement of the transmission has been effected, the operator gradually releases the pedal 33 thereby permitting the gradual oscillation or turning of the valve 22 until said valve closes oli the opening through the rotor and builds up an immovable body of iiuid between the valve 22 in the rotor and the respective gates 40 and 4i. When the wall portions of the valve 22 completely close o the port or passage I3 through the rotor, the body of fluid coniined between opposite sides of the valve 22 and the gates 49 and 4l cannot move or circulate, and hence tightly binds the element 4 and rotor together causing the rotor to turn in synchronism with the element 4 in a clockwise direction. Thus the propeller shaft of the vehicle will be driven at direct or engine speed.

In order to move the rotor at speeds less than that of the element 4, a slippage action is creto any desirable degree by thefoot pedal 33, so

` that rotative speeds of the rotor and of the driven shaft 3, varyingfrom zero to that of the speed of the element 4may `be obtained.

, `Whenthe valve 22 is in the fully opened position, the rotor remains inoperative relative to the element 4,. However, inview of the fact that the openings through the valve 22 might possibly replishby axial movement of the bar 28, together with movement of a companion bar 28 through the agency of squared ends 5| on said rods, to

@move ,the rotor and the plate axially on the shaft I2 against the expansion of the spring 3l, thereby to temporarily destroy the space between the rotor and the element 4 within which fluid pressure may be, accumulated. In moving the fila ` bars 28-28 to impart axial movement to the plate 35 and rotor, the valve 22 is placed in the fully closed position. l, Looking at Fig. 2, the squared ends of the rods 28-28 would move the rotor and the plate 35 toward the left, thus enlarging theflud capacity of the area in which the iluid is confined to an extent that no binding effect could be obtained between the rotor and the element 4.

`When the rotor and the plate 35 are moved axially on the shaft I2, the face of the plate 35 moves away from a plurality of arms 52, each of which are xed on a pin 53 journaled in a recess 54 in the annular shoulder 36 upon the inner circumference of the element 4. A latching element 55 is xed on each shaft 53, and said latching element is adapted to be pulled by a tension spring 56 into engagement with a latching plate 51 on the bottom side of each of the gates 4|! and 4|. When the rotor and plate 35 are moved into the spread or opened position, rotative movement of the rotor causes the gates 40 and 4| to be swung back against the inner circumference of the element 4 and there locked automatically by the latching member 55 engaging the latching plate 51. When the bars 23-28 are released to relieve the separating movement of the rotor and the plate 35, the tension spring 3'! causes the plate and rotor to be moved into the assembled position, during which action the plate 35 automatically moves into contact with the members 52, thereby causing the latching elements 55 to be disengaged from the latch plates on the gates 40 and 4|, so that the free end of said gates may swing out into contact with the periphery of the rotor.

The foot pedal 33 swings within a certain deflnite arc, the length of travel of which is su'icient to manipulate the control valve 22 from the fully closed to the fully opened positions, and vice versa. We desire, however, that ceratin additional swinging movement of the pedal 33 beyond that necessary for normal operation of the transmission be used for actuating the said transmission when it is desirous of obtaining a free wheeling eifect. This free wheeling effect is accomplished by providing a passage 60 through the rotor, thereby to communicate the space on opposite sides of the said rotor. The passage 60 ated betweenthe element 4 and rotor by,open ing the4 valve 22, whereby the fluid confined between oppositesides` of the valve 2,2 and the gates 46 and 4| may icy-pass therethrough.` The amount of retardation placed on the fluid which may pass through the valve 22,V can be regulated The gate 6| is Thewlatching member 6 4`vis unlatched by axial movement lof the bar y 28. Whenever the free wheeling effect isnotdesired, the heel portion of the pedal 33 4is raised to disengage the bar 28.` from the latch 64, whereby the pressure developed against the outside of the gate 6| will automatically forceit into the closed position, in

.which `position it win be held locked by the latch plate 63 andlatching element 64.

Sincethe free wheeling effect is usually ob-M tained While they clutch is in complete engage- `ment, itfollows that valve 6| ,(Fig, r1) should be open while valve 22 is maintained closed. Hence this is eifected by raising the toe or left end of` pedal 33 (Fig. 7) from the full line position shown,

thereby depressing` the heel or rear portion of `the relative rotation between rotor I4 and casing 4. `Having thus described our invention what we closedatpne endfby a gate 6|,"said gate beirng pivoted tothe rotor at 62. held intheclosed positionby means of a latch l.pin 63 thereonhbe'ing engaged,l by a latching `,member 6,4 pivoted within the passage 60 at ,65.

claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent ist...

driven element, said rotor having an eccentric,

portion thereon; a valve` in `theeccentric por-M tion of said rotor to control the flow ofk a fluid from one side of said rotor to the other'and to thereby eifect the same or different speeds of rotation between the casing and the rotor; means extending through said casing for controlling the position of said valve in the rotor.

2. A variable speed transmission including a casing and rotor revolvably associated with each other; means connecting said casing to a driving element; means connecting said rotor to a driven element, said rotor having an eccentric portion thereon; a valve in the eccentric portion of said rotor to control the flow of a fluid from one side of said rotor to the other and to thereby effect the same or different speeds of rotation between the casing and the rotor; gates pivotally mounted on the inner circumference of said stator in bearing contact with the outer face of said rotor; means to lock said gatesagainst the inner circumference of said casing.

3. A variable speed transmission comprising a hollow casing; means connecting said casing to a driving element; a shaft journalled in said casing and connected to a driven element; a rotor slidably splined on said shaft, said rotor haw'ng an eccentric portion on one side thereof in contact with the inner circumference of said casing and said eccentric portion of said rotor having a fluid passage therethrough; a valve journalled in the rotor; means to move said valve to regulate the flow of iiuid through said passage and to thereby effect the same and different speeds between the casing and rotor; and gates pivotally mounted on the inner circumference of said casing in bearing contact with the outer face of said rotor.

4. A variable speed transmission comprising a hollow casing; means connecting said casing to a driving element; a shaft journalled in said casing and connected to a driven element; a

having an eccentric portion on one side thereof in contact with the inner circumference of said casing and said eccentric portion of said rotor having a fluid passage therethrough; a valve journalled in the rotor; means to move said valve to regulate the flow of fluid through said passage and to thereby effect the same and different speeds between the casing and rotor; and gates pivotally mounted on the inner circumference of said casing in bearing contact with the outer face of said rotor; means to maintain said gates in frictional contact with said rotor.

5. A variable speed transmission comprising a hollow casing; means connecting said casing to a driving element; a shaft journalled in said casing and connected to a driven element; a rotor slidably splined on said shaft, said rotor having an eccentric portion on one side thereof in contact with the inner circumference of said casing and said eccentric portion of said rotor having a fluid passage therethrough; a valve journalled in the rotor; means to move said valve to regulate the flow of fluid through said passage and to thereby effect the same and different speeds between the casing and rotor; and gates pivotally mounted on the inner circumference of said casing in bearing contact with the outer face of said rotor; means to maintain said gates in frictional contact with said rotor at times; and means to lock said gates against the inner circumference of said casing at other times.

6. A variable speed transmission comprising a hollow casing; means connecting said casing to a driving element; a shaft journalled in said casing and connected to a driven element; a

rotor slidably splined on said shaft, said rotor rotor slidably splined on said shaft, said rotor having an eccentric portion on one side thereof in contact with the inner circumference of said casing and said eccentric portion of said rotor having a fluid passage therethrough; a valve journalled in the rotor; means to move said Valve to regulate the flow of fluid through said passage and to thereby effect the same and different speeds between the casing and rotor; and gates pivotally mounted on the inner circumference of said casing in bearing contact with the outer face of said rotor; and means to move said rotor axially relative to the casing to permit unobstructed rotation of the casing relative to the rotor and vice-versa.

7. A variable speed transmission comprising a hollow casing; meansl connecting said casing to a driving element; a shaft journalled in said casing and connected to a driven element; a rotor slidably splined on said shaft, said rotor having an eccentric portion on one side thereof in contact with the inner circumference of said casing and said eccentric portion of said rotor having a fluid passage therethrough; a valve journalled in the rotor; means to move said valve to regulate the flow of fluid through said passage and to thereby effect the same and different speeds between the casing and rotor; and gates pivotally mounted on the inner circumference of said casing in bearing contact with the outer face of said rotor; and a secondary valve through said rotor and by-passing through said rotor from one side thereof to the other independently of the first mentioned valve.

HENRY C. DULION. CHARLES R. MURPHY. 

